Riptide

Chapter 7

The sun was setting as the bonfire party was beginning. There was a fire burning and lawn chairs in various places near the fire. There was also a mini outdoor bar set up, in which Jay had somehow become the bartender of.

The crowd was a mix of people from 18 to about mid 30's. Dance music played in the background, while some of the guests danced with drink in hand. Tom was fiddling with his guitar sitting on a rock, with Kelsey resting her head on his shoulder. Max was making out with two girls in the distance.

Nathan kept checking his watch. He really needed to just have fun and stop hoping that Mel would come to the party. Jay came up from behind him and pulled on his ear. "Hey mate, waiting for someone?" he teased.

Nathan just smiled and shook his head.

Jay pointed over Nathan's shoulder toward Max. "Only bloke I know that gets two women to make out with him. He could have at least handed one off to me." Jay complained.

Nathan chuckled, happy to be distracted from thinking about Melanie. "There are plenty of girls here mate."

"Yah, they are probably waiting inline to snog Max."

Nathan nodded. "You might be right."

Jay playfully pushed Nathan and then headed back to the bar.

Back at the restaurant, Casey kept trying to reach Melanie to tell her the news she found out about the mystery boys from the UK. "Dammit girl why aren't you picking up?"

Just then one of the waitresses came over to Casey. "Hey Mel left a message for you."

Casey's eyes widened. "Oh thank god. What did she say?"

"She said her phone died and she wanted you to meet her on the beach at a bonfire party near...." She stopped and reached into her pocket and pulled out a post it with an address on it. She handed Casey the paper.

Casey smiled. "Thanks hun"

Casey could not wait to get out of here so she could talk to Mel and see the boys again.

Back at the party Nathan was hanging out with Tom and Kelsey by the fire. One of Kelsey's friends came up behind Nathan while he was sitting and leaned over his shoulder. "Hey cutie pie, you wanna dance?"

Nathan shook his head no. "Not really I..."

She didn't listen and pulled him up and dragged him away. "I'm a horrible dancer" he cried as he was dragged off.

Tom chuckled. "She's a bit old for him eh?"

Kelsey smiled. "Yeah let him have some fun."

Just then Mel had arrived at the party. She was hoping Casey was already here, but no such luck. She scanned the beach for Nathan, but could not find him.

Tom looked past Kelsey at some commotion going on near the water. Kevin was out there with some of their bodyguards. "What do you suppose that is?"

Kelsey turned and saw the men trying to get rid of a small group of young women. "Do you reckon they are Wanted fans?"

Tom stood up to get a better view. "I'm gonna go see what's up."

Kelsey tried to grab his arm, but he was too quick. "Tom....Tom!"

Tom ran over and the girls started squealing and giggling.

Kevin held his hand up motioning for Tom to stand back.

"What seems to be the trouble ladies?" Tom asked in a charming tone.

Kevin answered before they had a chance. "Some fans made it onto what is suppose to be a private beach. " he said giving them an annoyed look.

Tom saw one of the girls crying. He opened his arms and hugged her. The girls started saying "Awww." In response to this.

"Girls you must leave now." Kevin said sternly.

"One second ladies." Tom said then pulled Kevin off to the side. "Couldn't we sing a song for um?"

Kevin shook his head. "No absolutely not....you can't reinforce this type of..." he stopped talking as he saw Tom heading back towards the fans.

"How about we sing something for you ladies and then you have to go. Does that sound fair?"

They all cheered and hugged each other in excitement.

Kevin just shook his head. Tom was signing some items for them as Max and Jay came trotting over. "Having all the fun without us." Max said.

"Oh my gawd its Max." one of the girls said. Max went over to her and hugged her.

"I told them we'd sing for um. What do you say lads?" Tom asked.

"Of course we just have to get Nath and Seev." Jay replied.

"I'll get them." Max said and headed off to find them.

The party ended up shifting a bit as the boys sat in the sand together before this intimate group of fans.

Many of their friends from the party came walking over to hear the boys sing.

Mel was getting a drink at the bar when she noticed the party shifting. She decided to check it out.

They boys didn't have any microphones. All they had was an acoustic guitar. Their friend Trey offered to play for them.

Casey came running across the beach from the restaurant. She didn't' have to go far because she could see the boys performing with a crowd around them. She desperately searched the crowd her Mel.

"What shall we do boys?" Tom asked his band mates.

Jay said, " Let's do a cover."

"Animal?" Tom suggested and the boys agreed. He nodded at Trey giving him the green light to begin playing.

Mel finally made her way through the crowd to find the boys entertaining. She had no idea they had this skill. It was almost as if...."

Casey plowed into her. "Omg did you get any of my messages?"

Just then the boys began to sing. Casey attempted to catch her breath as Mel watched the boys intently.

"The Wanted." Casey said breathlessly.

Mel turned to her friend. "Huh?"

Casey took another deep breath. "The band, the wanted. Glad you came. Chasing the sun??? Ring a bell?"

Mel, "Vaguely."

Casey shook her head. "You are so sad sometimes Lanie. I love you but you can be so frustrating."

Melanie laughed and then turned back to watch the boys. She got butterflies in her stomach as Nathan began to sing his part of the song.

"Since you don't know who they are, can I have Nathan?" Casey teased.